More and more people are choosing to live a vegan lifestyle. The demand for more vegan-friendly options has allowed many Canberra cafes and restaurants to produce mouth-watering dishes that don’t include animal products. But you don’t have to be a vegan to appreciate the amazing flavours packed into a meat-free plate of food! We’ve scoured the capital to find some of the best vegan options out there to give you a plant-based taste sensation.
Sweet Bones – 8/18 Lonsdale St, Braddon
An oldie, but a goodie. Sweet Bones in Braddon have been creating radical vegan fare since 2011 when it was just a small pop-up store in the old Lonsdale Street Traders. Now, the tofu scramble, funky french toast with spiced pumpkin, fluffy pancakes and nacho mountain are high on the list for regulars.
Their baked goods fly out the door! The soft jalapeno pretzels, muffins, sugar skull cookies and cinnamon scrolls are to die for. Be sure to keep an eye out for their popular vegan hot cross buns as Easter approaches! If you’re after a cake for a special occasion such as a birthday, wedding or ‘just because’, you can place an order and they will create a masterpiece for you.
Highroad – 1 Woolley St, Dickson
Modern and spacious, Highroad is a favourite amongst Dickson dwellers. Last time we visited they had an entire menu dedicated to vegan eats, in additions to their regular menu. You can enjoy classic three mills fruit toast with whipped tofu and maple, instead of the usual butter. The grain free granola with fresh coconut yoghurt, a nourishing green bowl and more. They also have a big range of gluten-free options available.
The Goods Wholefoods – Level 1 House/40 Marcus Clarke St, Canberra
‘Good food, good life’ is the motto at The Goods Wholefoods, which aligns with their commitment to serving produce that has no nasties, and only the good stuff! A contemporary salad bar and wholefoods café, they are known for their beautiful smoothie bowls, toast topped with piles of fresh avo and plant-based salads that pack a punch. There is an array of raw vegan treats to choose from, and they are committed to meeting any other dietary needs.
The Fish Shack – 87/105 Petrie Plaza, Canberra
The name doesn’t exactly scream ‘vegan’. So you might be surprised to know that the popular Fish Shack, located in the heart of the city in Petrie Plaza, just off Bunda Street, is primarily plant-based. Although they provide animal products too, they ensure there is no cross-contamination and pride themselves on serving fresh vegan options. The Facon it till Ya Makin’ It burger is a favourite, loaded with facon (fake bacon) pulled mushroom patty, beetroot, pineapple, vegan cheese, lettuce and tomato chutney. The Hoisinner Duck Fries is a must-have, crispy mock duck in hoisin sauce, pickles and fried shallots smother a bed of crispy fries — you wouldn’t it wasn’t duck if we didn’t tell you!
Au Lac – 4/35-39 Woolley St, Dickson AND Westfield Woden
Originating in Dickson, and branching out to Woden, Au Lac is the perfect restaurant for vegans looking for a meal that resembles meat so well, you wouldn’t know otherwise! This Asian vegan restaurant has lots of Vietnamese-style dishes on their menu. The most popular dishes are the curries, laksa, noodle dishes, sizzling hot pots, clay pot sensations and banquets for larger groups. The crispy shredded chilli ‘beef’ is a personal favourite. They also don’t use any MSG or egg in their dishes.
Gozleme King – Canberra Centre and Westfield Belconnen
Yes, vegan gozleme does exist! Located in both the CBD and Belconnen, Gozleme King offers amazing Turkish street food. Gozleme is a traditional savoury flatbread and savoury dish, which melts in the mouth! Vegan options include cheese and spinach, veggie (spinach and mushroom), veggie plus (spinach, mushroom, capsicum and olives), marinated chilli potato, and the hot and spicy veggie!
Bitten Goodfoods – G17/27 Lonsdale St, Braddon
Located on Lonsdale Street is this sleek and inviting supermarket with an all-day menu at their ‘bites bar’, full of fresh organic salads made to suit your cravings, colourful bowls full of nutritious ingredients and every kind of smoothie you can think of! You will be transported to vegan heaven as you taste the Vegan Fire Toastie, stuffed with BBQ zucchini, burnt tomatoes, kimchi, cashew cheese and hot sauce on Three Mills sourdough. And just as tasty as it sounds, is the Jungle Jackfruit Bowl with coffee-cured jackfruit, hempseeds, avo, red quinoa, pico de gallo and corn chips. You can also pick up a wide range of organic pantry items in the supermarket section if you feel like doing some cooking at home.
Chompy’s at The Basement – 2A Cohen St, Belconnen
Located in the grungy Belconnen rock bar, The Basement, you will find an array of juicy, well-named vegan burgers, and nachos. ‘The Unholy Trinity’ – chips, shredded ‘chicken’, garlic, hummus and BBQ sauce, ‘Beyond Barnesy’ – a plant based beef patty with facon, vegan cheese, lettuce, tomato and beetroot, and ‘The Rob Zombie’ – a sweet potato and cous cous patty with avo, are some of the most popular. You can’t go wrong when food this good is teamed with live music from one of the many local and touring bands that stop by The Basement. There’s also plenty on the menu for the meat eaters among us. Happy days for all!
My Rainbow Dreams – 25 Dickson Place, Dickson
Fresh and brightly coloured breakfast, lunch and baked goodies can be found at My Rainbow Dreams in Dickson. The wholesome and nourishing café aims to cater for vegetarians and vegans, and is run by the students of Sri Chinmoy, a renowned meditation teacher. Burgers, wraps, rainbow salads, curries, soups and the always tasty ‘bake-of-the-day’ are made in the busy kitchen on site. Fresh smoothies and juices are always being whizzed up in the blenders, with sweet treats tempting any customer who approaches the counter. The choc-berry brownie, power cookies, bliss balls and goji balls are all vegan, and all amazing!
As Nature Intended – 4/1 Dairy Rd, Fyshwick
They called The Belconnen Fresh Food Markets home for 19 years but they relocated to Dairy Road in 2019. It’s a great addition to the many food and beverage businesses that already call Dairy Road home. You’ll find a selection of dishes and drinks that you can eat in or takeaway as well as a range of organic coffee, organic fresh produce and a range of groceries items that are good for the environment. They’re open for breakfast and lunch but they don’t just serve vegan food so you’ll find something for everyone on the menu.
Ricardo’s Cafe – Jamison Plaza, Macquarie
They’re well-known for their creative sweets and their killer brunch and lunch dishes but did you know they also have a vegan menu? Just ask for it and you’ll be presented with a selection of breakfast and brunch options including breakfast bowls, granola, vegan falafel, avo on toast, salads and more.
Lazy Su – 1/9 Lonsdale St, Braddon
From dedicated vegan nights, vegan banquets and vegan dishes on their regular menu, Lazy Su has a good selection of food for vegans. Their Asia fusion pop vibe results in a range of trendy and traditional vegan and non-vegan dishes with big flavour. They also cater to the meat lovers so everyone is a winner. Think jackfruit baos, vegan gyoza, tofu dishes, miso eggplant nori tacos, kimchi fried rice and more.
We’re going to put it out there and say that Lazy Su is the hippest restaurant serving up a good selection of vegan eats in Canberra.
The Food Co-op – 3 Kingsley St, Canberra
Canberra’s Food Co-op is a community-run organisation, providing low-waste, affordable, locally-sourced, fair trade, organic and sustainable products to the community. They have a bulk grocery store and a cafe where you can choose from a selection of house-made baked goods and delicious comforting dishes. Prices for meals are only $6 for working members, $7 for students and non-working members and $9 for the general public. You’ll find a selection of dishes from different cuisines and food and beverages are only served at certain times due to COVID-19. There are so many interesting facts about The Food Co-op and we can’t wait to share more about them soon!
Feature image of the vegan walnut and pumpkin dumplings from Lazy Su taken by Eat Canberra’s Amelia Bidgood.
Menus change regularly at venues but all information was correct at the time this article was written. Please check with venues for latest menu, opening days and times due to the impact of COVID-19.
Kate Hudson
Kate Hudson is a freelance writer with a mission to prove that Canberra is a fabulous place to live. As an avid coffee drinker, breakfast connoisseur and self-confessed 'eater-outerer' she will help you decide where to go for the best experience. She loves a grungy music gig, local beer, fancy french toast, and has a soft spot for the Southside.